Warner has missed the first two Tests due to a groin strain sustained in the white ball series against India in late November but has pressed his case for a return by all but proving his fitness.
“He looks like he’s moving pretty well,” Langer said on Warner. “He’s very determined to play… so we’ll finalise him at training this afternoon and make a decision on that.
“But I’d say he’s looking very, very, very likely to play the Test match.”
Warner may be joined in the Australian line-up by potential debutant Will Pucovski who was in startling form prior to the Test series with back-to-back double centuries in the Sheffield Shield before suffering a concussion playing for Australia A against the tourists.
However, the young Victorian, who has a history of concussions, has now been cleared by an independent neurologist, meaning he can be considered by selectors.
“He’s in a great frame of mind,” Langer said on Pucovski. “He’s incredibly positive about playing cricket, he’s trained hard this week and, as he and I have discussed a number of times, the only way to get back on the horse is to get back on the horse.
“He’s ultimately the one who has to make the decision. He has to have the courage to get back on the horse and he wants to do that, and that’s a really, really positive sign moving forward.”
Fellow youngster Cameron Green came into the side for the start of the Test series and has done well, without setting the world on fire, with scores of 11, 12 and 45. He has batted for long periods without reaching a half-century.
The WA all-rounder also provides a handy bowling option to offer respite to the attack, but is yet to take a Test wicket.
Travis Head is potentially in the gun if the selectors opt for Pucovski, given he’s only made two centuries in 19 Tests and has only managed 52 runs in three knocks this series.
Already Joe Burns has been dropped, although he re-discovered some form with a half-century in the Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat on Monday night.